Youth sports have many benefits for children of all ages. Motor skills, social skills, and discipline are all developed when playing a team sport. Plus, it’s one of the best ways to get kids excited about exercise.
As with all physical activity, there are some risks involved which is why we recommend you always have a CPR and first aid kit on the sidelines.
According to youth sports injury statistics, the most common kids’ sports injuries are:
- Sprains and strains
- Scrapes and cuts
- Growth plate injury
- Repetitive motion injuries
The treatment for most sports injuries including sprains, strains, and repetitive motion injuries is R.I.C.E., which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. When a child is injured, take the child out of the game, ice the injured area for 10 to 20 minutes, wrap the injury with a bandage, and elevate above the level of the child’s heart. Ice or cold packs are best right after the injury to reduce swelling. By 24 hours after the injury, heat is better. Heat increases blood flow, bringing more of the healing blood factors to the injured tissue.
For scrapes and cuts, you should apply pressure to stop the bleeding, clean the wound with warm water and soap or antiseptic wipes, apply antibiotic cream, and then cover the wound with a band-aid or sterile gauze.
If you suspect a growth plate injury or a fracture, seek professional medical attention right away.
How to Assemble A First Aid Kit
To treat the most common injuries, include the following items in your first aid kit:
- Instant cold pack
- Ace bandage
- Band-aids in multiple sizes
- Antiseptic wipes
- Sterile gauze
- Antibiotic cream
- Pain medication
If your child has asthma or allergies, you will also want to include an inhaler and EpiPen in your first aid kit.
Remember that serious injuries are unlikely to occur, but it’s best to be prepared. If you won’t be attending your child’s games or practices, consider getting a backup kit for the coach and always restock the kit right away if you use any of the contents.